For artist Annabel McCourt, the opportunity to involve herself in the cultural transformation of Cleethorpes’ North Prom was one she simply couldn’t resist.
Born and raised in Grimsby – she was a Nunsthorpe Maternity Hospital baby – Annabel is the latest artist to have her design attached to the shutters of businesses along the North Prom as part of a unique new project to assist with its regeneration. Called Humber Murmurations, her work can be seen when the shutters are down at Scoops.
“Cleethorpes is an incredibly important place to me and is has been wonderful to have the opportunity to do something that is local and very different,” said Annabel.
With a diverse career in the cultural and arts sector, Annabel has worked with various organisations, including the BBC, and is a skilled broadcaster and photographer. With international acclaim as an artist, she has remained based locally with her own Cut Ltd company in Barton.
For this commission, Annabel explained how she had taken her inspiration from issues that were very current at this present time, which included human freedom, and peoples’ ability to rise together and break down barriers to change. The image shows groups of people flying from the sea – hence Humber Murmurations.
Scoops’ business owner Doraan Manders and her sister Keely Sheeran who operates The Chippy next door are delighted with the progression of the walking gallery. As reported, The Chippy’s shutters have a design on them by North Lincolnshire artist Gill Hobson.
“The North Prom needs this, it is a wonderful place and now we are getting this fantastic artwork. It’s fantastic,” said Keely.
Also, now installed for people to view, is the complete artwork that stretches across Walkers Total Fitness and Reemas Beauty by the Beach. Masterminded by North East Lincolnshire-based Creative Start, with the help of artist Kevin Atkins, the piece follows the theme of the outstretched arms that are seen on the Sistine Chapel Ceiling, with a fist on one side reaching out to touch a ‘hand of beauty’ on Reemas side.
The creation of the gallery is part of the creative regeneration project underway in that area of the resort. With financial support from the Coastal Communities Fund, North East Lincolnshire Council and CoastNEL, which represents the private, cultural and third sectors, the scheme is being managed by the council’s regeneration partner ENGIE. The gallery is the first part of the plan, which also includes the installation of the ‘White Palm’ and new lighting and street furniture.
The first gallery shutter was installed at Brown’s Café late last year, designed by internationally known artist Jacqui Poncelet and more artwork will be in place on shutters in the coming weeks.
Article and photo from NELC.
About the author